Thatcher

ABSTRACT

A device designed to be removably and adjustably attached to the rotary blade of a conventional power lawn mover and designed to treat grass lawns by thinning out the dead or damaged grass therefrom. At least one cutting element including an elongated finger is positioned in ground engaging relation to said blade and is fastened thereto by a first and second operatively engaging bracket adjustable relative to one another to fit the width of various blades and to be positioned along the longitudinal axis from the center thereof. An anchor means comprising a one piece mass of flexible material is connected to the cutting finger and is correspondingly configured to be securely engaged and at least partially surrounded by an anchor housing which is part of said bracket means.

United States Patent 1191 Berg, Jr. et al. 56/400.04

Siiakas Dec. 31, 1974 THATCHER [76] Inventor: Costas Siiakas, 4803Arcadia Rd., Primary Exammer R.usSe Kmsey Holiday Fla. 33 5 8,9Attorney, Agent, or Ftrm-Ste1n and Orman [22] Filed: Oct. 11, 1073 [57]ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 405589 A device designed to be removably andadjustably attached to the rotary blade of a conventional power [52]U.S. Cl 56/295, 56/ 17.5, 56 193 lawn mover and designed to treat grasslawns by thin [51] Int. Cl A0ld 55/18 ning out the dead or damaged grasstherefrom. At [58] Field of Search 56/400, 295, 193, 17.5, least onecutting element including an elongated fin- 56/ 16.1, 400.04; 248/214,215 gel is positioned in ground engaging relation to said 1 blade and isfastened thereto by a first and second op- [56] References Citederatively engaging bracket adjustable relative to one UNITED STATESPATENTS another to fit the width of various blades and to be positionedalong the longitudinal axis from the center g 2 5 thereof. An anchormeans comprising a one piece 3:117:633 l/l964 Hoseki ....IIIIIIIIIIEe/2Qs x mass of flexible material is connected to the Cutting 3,184,9035/1965 Fjelslad.. 56/17.5 finger and is correspondingly Configured to be3,511,036 5 1970 Julian 56/l7.5 curely engaged and at least partiallysurrounded by an 3,611,683 10/1971 SwensonM. 56/l6.l anchor housingwhich is part of said bracket means. 3,6l 1,691 lO/l97l Howard 56/29.53,753,341 8/1973 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A device used to aeratelawnscomprising a flexibly mounted cutting element having a protrudingfinger arranged substantially perpendicular'to the plane of a rotaryblade and adjustably attached thereto in predetermined locations.

2. Description of the Prior Art A number of prior art devices arepresently available on the market which are intended to enhance theappearance of a grass lawn. A number of these devices are particularlydesigned to aerate the lawn by cutting or puncturing the-ground in ordertobring air and oxygen to the roots of the grass.'Other devices alsodesigned to aerate grass and other vegetation are primarily designed tothatch or thin out thefllawn through the removal of dead or damagedgrass. However, in treating lawns the majority of the implements ortools available to the average home owner are overly complicated andunnecessarily expensive. While recognizing that a well kept attractivelawn is highly desirable, the average home owner cannot indulge in thepurchase of sophisticated equipment directly to perform the relativelyfrequent treatment of aeration of his lawn. Accordingly, there has beena need for a tool which either accomplishes a plurality of functions orwhich can be adapted .to an already existing tool such as a lawnmower orthe like.

While various argicultural implements have been designed to overcome theproblems set forth above, the greater majority have not been able toaccomplish both efficient operation and simplicity in installation. Moreparticularly, thatching devices including a separate blade have beendesigned to be attached to a conven tional lawnmower or other machines.However, installation of these devices necessitates the user to follow arather complicated procedure. In addition, the necessity of using aseparate rotary blade-resulting in added expense has also been required.In installing these prior art devices it is required that theconventional rotary blade be removed, and the special thatcher rotaryblade be substituted therefor and readjusted such that the entire bodyof the mower is repositioned relative to the surface or ground overwhich the mower travels.

In addition, none of the prior art thatchers presently on the markethave the capability of automatically picking up or directing thethatched dead grass into a disposal area. According to modernagricultural techniques the removal of this dead grass, etc. is quiteimportant for efficient growth. With prior art devices this removalwould have to be conducted by separate raking thus requiring anadditional procedure and accordingly added expense.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need in the industryfor a relatively simple, inexpensive and easy to maintain thatcher whichis attachable to a conventional rotary lawnmower or like implementwithout removal of the conventional cutting blade of such a rotarymower. Such attachment means should have a construction capable ofsufficient versatility to allow adjustable attachment to any given sizeblade while at the same time be securely attached to the blade so as toinsure that the thatcher will not become inadvertently removed duringuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an agriculturalimplement, and more particularly a device known as a thatcher. Thethatcher of the subject invention is of the type designed to beremovably and adjustably attached to a conventional rotary blade of apower lawnmower.

More specifically, the thatcher implement of the present inventioncomprisesa cutting means in the form of a substantially rigid, elongatedfinger movably or flexibly attached to the blade so as to provide apredetemined amount of flexure or give as the rigid finger engages thesurface being thatched.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises the attachment meansincluding a first and a second bracket movably connected to one anotherand specifically configured and disposed relative to one another so asto be orientedin a substantially transverse relationship to thelongitudinal axis of the rotary blade. In addition, the opposite end ofeach first and second bracket are configured to overlap in a grippingfashion the opposite longitudinal edges of the blade so as tosecurelylockor fasten the thatcher to the blade where desired. In actualoperation, one thatcher element is attached to opposite ends of theconventional rotary cutting blade in spaced relation to the respectiveextremity thereof. Since each of the thatcher elements in any of therespective embodiments to be described hereinafter are essentially thesame, one thatcher element will be referred to. It should be noted,however, that when discussing any given embodiment, actual operation ofa rotary lawnmower would normally incorporate the use of two thatcherelements mounted on opposite ends of the cutting blade in correspondinglocation to one another so as to provide proper balance to the blade asit rotates.

As described above, the first and second brackets are removably attachedto one another by a connector which is arranged in movable engagementwith each of the brackets so as to allow relative movement therebetweenand accordingly provide an adjustable means of .engaging or securing thefirst and second bracket to the rotary blade. In this way, the bracketsmay be mounted on blades of varying width merely by adjusting theconnector which, as stated above, interconnects in locking engagementeach of the first and second brackets with one another and with therotary blade itself.

The implement of the subject invention further comprises an anchor whichincludes a mass of flexible, yielding material having a predeterminedshape and at least partially surrounded by at least the first or secondbracket means comprising the attachment means. The anchor may be formedof a solid, one piece mass of flexible material having one end of thecutting finger imbedded therein so as to eliminate the possibility ofthe cutting finger breaking loose or becoming inadvertentlydisassociated from the anchor and/or bracket to which it is attached.The anchor is configured and disposed so as to be forced into abuttingengagement with the undersurface of the blade. As briefly explainedabove, by virtue of the flexible nature of the material used to definethe anchor, the cutting finger is allowed to flex" or yield somewhat asit engages the ground or surface area being thatched.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises the attachmentmeans including a single bracket element having an anchor housing formedtherein in corresponding configuration as the anchor itself. As in theprevious embodiment, the anchor is forced into abutting engagement withthe undersurface of the rotary blade. Securing of the single bracketmeans to the rotary blade is accomplished by a connector elementextending through an aperture in a tail portion of the first bracket andthrough an aligned aperture formed in the rotary blade itself. Thisconnector element may be a conventional threaded combination screw andnut assembly. The opposite endof the bracket means again may beconfigured into an integral flange extending over the correspondinglypositioned longitudinal edge of the blade so as to provide a grippingaction thereon.

Another structural feature of the present invention, utiliz'ed primarilywiththe formally described embodiment of the attachment means comprisesa locking means in the form of a springelement movably connected-to theattachment means'such that its midportion engages a groove in the headof the connector element interconnecting the first and second bracketmeans. The opposite end of the spring safety lock assembly comprises twofree ends imbedded in or securely attached to an upper portion of thehousing. Compression of the sides of the spring towards one anotherallows for sufficient slack in order to allow adjustment of theconnector. When in locking engagement, positioning of the spring bodywithin the slot within the connector prevents its rotation inadvertentlysuch as during vibration.

In utilizing the device of the present invention, installation is madeextremely simple'and removal of the blade is eliminated. Also, thedevice itself is long lasting, efficient and inexpensive to purchaseand/or maintain.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessingthe features, properties and'relation of elements which will beexemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fora fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. I is a bottom view showing theagricultural implement of the presentinventioninstalled on the rotary blade of a conventional lawnmower.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 2- 2 of FIG. 1showing the subject implement and at taching means mounted on the blade.

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the implement of FIG. 2 showing details ofthe adjustable attachment means.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the implement of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an end view of another embodiment of the attachment means. i

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment ofthe attachment means utilized in the i present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the implement attached directly to theconnecting aperture in the blade.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughouttheseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONN This invention relates to an agriculturalimplement commonly known as a thatcher and generally indicated as 10 inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The structure of thatcher 10 allows it to be mountedon opposite ends of a conventional rotary blade 12 used on powerlawnmowers or the like, generally indicated as 14in FIG. 1. As set forthabove, this eliminates the necessity of removing the entire blade and/orcutting assembly of a conventional mower when a thatching operation isdesired. More particularly, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, thethatcher 10 comprises a cutting or raking'element 16 in the form of asubstantiallyelongated finger being rigid and being connected to ananchor element 18. The anchor element 18 may be formed from a unitary,solid mass of flexible material such as rubber or the like. As shown,the finger 16 extends through the entire anchor and engages the surface42 of blade 12. The particular orientation is important for stability offinger 16 when engaging the surface being thatched. The attachment meansitself comprises a first bracket 22 and a second bracket 24. Each of thebrackets include grip means 26 and 28 including integrally formedflanges specifically configured to lockingly engage oppositelongitudinal edges 30 and 32 of blade 12. The orientation of the firstand second bracket, 22 and 24 respectively,'defines the position of theattachment means as being substantially transverse to the longitudinalaxis of the blade 12. I

Referring back to FIG. 1, the placement of the implement or thatcher 10is arranged in spaced relation to opposite extremities 25 and 27 ofblade 12 substantially adjacent to the cutting portion 29 of oppositeends of the blade. By virtue of this placement and the naturalconfiguration of the conventional cutting blade 12, the materialthatched, including loose grass, etc. will automatically be swept up andcan be deposited in a portable bag or like, similar to the processutilized when regular mowing occurs.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, a connector element 34 is movablyinterconnected between overlapping portions of the first bracket 22 andthe second bracket 24. As can be seen clearly in FIG. 2 adjustment ofthe connector element 34, which may be a conventional screw threadedfastener, provides relative movement between the first and secondbracket which allows for the varying width of blade 12 and theadaptation of the thatcher of the present invention to any con ventionalrotary blade of varying widths.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first bracket 22 includes an anchorhousing 40 configured to at least partially surround or enclose theanchor means 18. By virtue of this arrangement, the anchor 18 is forcedinto abutting engagement with the undersurface 42 of blade 12. Anaperture 44 is formed in housing 40 and allows for protrusion of finger16 from the anchor 18 itself outwardly as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the present invention includes alocking means in the form of a spring lock 35 designed to engage slot 37in hex head 34. This engagement prevents inadvertant rotation of hexhead 34. Removal of the base of spring 35 is accomplished by movement ofthe legs of spring 35 inwardly and outwardly as shown. by thedirectional arrows in FIG. 5.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises the attachmentmeans as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 including a single bracket'50 havingan anchor housing 52 which at least partially surrounds the anchor 18and also includes aperture 44 for the protrustion therethrough of thefinger 16. The one end of bracket 50 includes a gripping means 51 in theform of an integrally formed flange configured to at least partiallysurround the blade 12. The opposite end of the flange 60 is defined by atail portion 60 and has an aperture 56 formed therein. This aperture isaligned with an aperture 58 in the blade 12 itself. These two aperturesdefine a mounting means for bracket 50 along with connector 34 whichserves to secure the bracket 50 to blade 12 as shown in FIG. 6.

It will thus be seen that the objects made apparent from the precedingdescription, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may bemade in the above article without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrated and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:

1. An agricultural implement designed to be used as a thatcher incombination with a rotary blade of a lawnmower, said implementcomprising: a raking means, attachment means mounted on said blade inpredetermined spaced distance from one end thereof, anchor meanssecurely fastened to said raking means, said attachment means comprisinga first and a second bracket movably engaging one another andinterconnecting the blade and said anchor means.

2. An agricultural implement as in claim 1 wherein said first and saidsecond bracket are movably connected to one another and oriented todispose said attachment means substantially transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the blade.

3. An agricultural implement as in claim 1 further comprising grip meansformed on one end of each bracket and disposed adjacent a longitudinaledge of said blade, said grip means configured to lockingly engage acorrespondingly positioned longitudinal edge.

ment of said connecting means allows relative movement between saidfirst and second bracket and dimensioning of said attachment means tocorrespond to the width of the rotary blade.

5. An agricultural implement as in claim 1 wherein said attachment meansfurther comprises an anchor housing formed in one of said first orsecond bracket and configured to at least partially surround said anchorand position it in substantially abutting engagement with the rotaryblade.

6. An argicultural implement as in claim 1 wherein said raking meanscomprises a substantially elongated, rigid finger, one end of saidfinger imbedded in said anchor; said anchor comprising a substantiallysolid. unitary mass of flexible material whereby said finger is movablyconnected to said anchor.

7. An agricultural implement as in claim 1 further comprising ,a lockmeans including a spring element movably mounted on said attachmentmeans and disposed to engage a conductor element which interconnectssaid first and second bracket, whereby rotation of said connectorelement is restricted upon engagement with said spring. I

8. An agricultural implement as in claim 7 wherein said spring elementcomprises a pair of legs normally biased in outwardly spaced relation tosaid bracket, a base interconnecting said spring legs and positioned toengage said connector means when said legs are in a normally biasedposition.

9. An agricultural implement designed to be used as a thatcher incombination with a rotary blade of a lawnmower, said implementcomprising a raking means, attachment means mounted on the blade, saidattachment means comprising a single bracket disposed on said blade insubstantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis thereof,anchor means attached to said raking means and disposed between saidblade and a portion of said bracket; said bracket including an anchorhousing configured to at least partially surround said anchor, bracketmounting means comprising aligned apertures formed insaid one bracketand the blade respectively, connecting means extending through saidaligned apertures, and grip means integrally formed on said one bracketand configured to lockingly engage one longitudinal edge of the blade.

10. An argicultural implement as in claim 9 wherein said cutting meanscomprises a substantially elongated, rigid finger, one end of saidfinger imbedded in said anchor; said anchor comprising a substantiallysolid, uni- 4. An agricultural implement as in claim 3 further tary massof flexible material, whereby said finger is said anchor.

movably connected to

1. An agricultural implement designed to be used as a thatcher incombination with a rotary blade of a lawnmower, said implementcomprising: a raking means, attachment means mounted on said blade inpredetermined spaced distance from one end thereof, anchor meanssecurely fastened to said raking means, said attachment means comprisinga first and a second bracket movably engaging one another andinterconnecting the blade and said anchor means.
 2. An agriculturalimplement as in claim 1 wherein said first and said second bracket aremovably connected to one another and oriented to dispose said attachmentmeans substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the blade. 3.An agricultural implement as in claim 1 further comprising grip meansformed on one end of each bracket and disposed adjacent a longitudinaledge of said blade, said grip means configured to lockingly engage acorrespondingly positioned longitudinal edge.
 4. An agriculturalimplement as in claim 3 further comprising connector means movablyinterconnected between said first and second bracket, whereby adjustmentof said connecting means allows relative movement between said first andsecond bracket and dimensioning of said attachment means to correspondto the width of the rotary blade.
 5. An agricultural implement as inclaim 1 wherein said attachment means further comprises an anchorhousing formed in one of said first or second bracket and configured toat least partially surround said anchor and position it in substantiallyabutting engagement with the rotary blade.
 6. An argicultural implementas in claim 1 wherein said raking means comprises a substantiallyelongated, rigid finger, one end of said finger imbedded in said anchor;said anchor comprising a substantially solid, unitary mass of flexiblematerial whereby said finger is movably connected to said anchor.
 7. Anagricultural implement as in claim 1 further comprising a lock meansincluding a spring element movably mounted on said attachment means anddisposed to engage a conductor element which interconnects said firstand second bracket, whereby rotation of said connector element isrestricted upon engagement with said spring.
 8. An agriculturalimplement as in claim 7 wherein said spring element comprises a pair oflegs normally biased in outwardly spaced relation to said bracket, abase interconnecting said spring legs and positioned to engage saidconnector means when said legs are in a normally biased position.
 9. Anagricultural implement designed to be used as a thatcher in combinationwith a rotary blade of a lawnmower, said implement comprising a rakingmeans, attachment means mounted on the blade, said attachment meanscomprising a single bracket disposed on said blade in substantiallytransverse relation to the longitudinal axis thereof, anchor meansattached to said raking means and disposed between said blade and aportion of said bracket; said bracket including an anchor housingconfigured to at least partially surround said anchor, bracket mountingmeans comprising aligned apertures formed in said one bracket and theblade respectively, connecting means extending through said alignedapertures, and grip means integrally formed on said one bracket andconfigured to lockingly engage one longitudinal edge of the blade. 10.An argicultural implement as in claim 9 wherein said cutting meanscomprises a substantially elongated, rigid finger, one end of saidfinger imbedded in said anchor; said anchor comprising a substantiallysolid, unitary mass of flexible material, whereby said finger is movablyconnected to said anchor.